TRANSIT opts resolutely for music of the 21st century: contemporary or new music in the most literal sense of the word. TRANSIT is a festival of premières and for its 2006 edition the festival commissioned many pieces from composers from Germany, France, Flanders, Canada and the United States. In addition to eleven premieres, the festival will present five recent works, with Farben der Frühe (2005) for seven concert grand pianos by Mathias Spahlinger as its eye-catcher.
Our closer collaboration with STUK is new. TRANSIT is not only a guest at the venue, but also will place a musical pedal point under the STUK exhibition by Maarten Vanvolsem and co-produce the new dance production by Arco Renz. In doing so TRANSIT is exploring the boundaries between music and other art forms.
Champ d’Action and Het Collectief will play a double concert during the opening night. Bl!ndman junior [4x4]sax will make its TRANSIT debut, as will the brilliant Canadian Trio Fibonacci. On Saturday, the Schlagquartett Köln and the percussion ensemble of Miquel Bernat will argue convincingly to show the vitality and diversity of contemporary music. During the closing concert the cream of Flanders’ pianists active in contemporary music will be brought together around Jan Michiels.
A great many fringe activities frame this new-music fest: a young persons’ project, a lecture, a debate and enlightening introductions to all the concerts.
TRANSIT Collectie is an initiative of MATRIX [New Music Centre], in cooperation with Festival 20/21 and the support of the city of Leuven.
